A 48-year old Redmond, Oregon driver was killed and his four passengers – including three children – were injured in a multi-vehicle crash on icy Highway 20 east of Santiam Junction on Saturday morning, police reported.

One man was killed and four others injuried in a crash on Highway 20 east of Santiam Junction on Saturday morning - OSP photo

Joseph Bowdin, 48, lost control of his Ford Bronco on an icy section of the westbound lane of the highway near milepost 82 about 9:20 a.m., February 16, Oregon State Police (OSP) said.

OSP Senior Trooper Mike Brady said a trailer pulled by Bowdin’s Bronco hit two other westbound vehicles, the Bronco rolled onto the driver’s side and skidded down the highway, the trailer hit an eastbound Isuzu Rodeo, then the Isuzu slammed into the roof of the Bronco.

Bowdin was pronounced dead at the scene, and passenger Rhonda Ottmeier, 33, was transported by AirLife helicopter to St. Charles Medical Center (SCMC) with reportedly serious injuries. Ottomeier’s three children, all girls, sustained minor injuries in the crash and were transported by ground ambulance to SCMC.

The five occupants of the other three vehicles involved were not injured, troopers said.

Oregon Department of Transportation personnel closed all lanes of traffic for about two hours, and then re-opened one lane as the crash scene investigation continued. All lanes of traffic were eventually cleared.

Troopers with the Bend Area Command Office are continuing the investigation.